Modulation and Coding Scheme Table Extension for Narrowband Internet of Things User Equipment

Abstract

A system, method, apparatus, and computer program product for modulation and coding scheme (MCS) table extension for narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT). The method may include receiving, at a user equipment, downlink control information from a network node, the downlink control information including a modulation and coding scheme field and a repetition number field. The method may also include reading the modulation and coding scheme field and the repetition number field. The method may further include determining a modulation and coding scheme value and a repetition number based on an indication in the modulation and coding scheme field. Additionally, the method may include setting a transmission block size index value based on the determination.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Some exemplary embodiments may relate generally to mobile or wireless telecommunications systems, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) or fifth generation (5G) radio access technologies or new radio (NR) access technologies, or other communications systems. For example, certain exemplary embodiments may relate to apparatus, systems, and / or methods for modulation and coding scheme (MCS) table extension for narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) configured with 16-quadrature amplitude modulation (16-QAM). [Background technology]

[0002] Examples of mobile or wireless telecommunications systems may include Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRAN), Long Term Evolution (LTE) Evolved UTRAN (E-UTRAN), LTE Advanced (LTE-A), MultiFire, LTE-A Pro, and / or fifth-generation (5G) radio access technology or new radio (NR) access technology. A fifth-generation (5G) wireless system refers to the next-generation (NG) radio system and network architecture. While 5G network technology is primarily based on NR technology, 5G (or NG) networks can also be built with E-UTRAN radio. NR is estimated to provide bit rates of approximately 10 to 20 Gbit / s or more and support at least enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC), as well as massive machine-type communication (mMTC). NR is expected to provide very high bandwidth, ultra-robust low-latency connectivity, and large-scale networking to support the Internet of Things (IoT). As IoT and machine-to-machine (M2M) communications become more prevalent, there will be an increasing need for networks that meet the needs of low power, low data rates, and long battery life. Note that in 5G, the node capable of providing radio access functionality to user equipment (i.e., similar to a NodeB in UTRAN or an eNB in ​​LTE) is called a gNB if it is built on NR technology, and a NG-eNB if it is built on E-UTRAN radio. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Some example embodiments may be directed to a method. The method may include receiving, at a user equipment, downlink control information from a network node, the downlink control information including a modulation and coding scheme field and a repetition number field. The method may also include reading the modulation and coding scheme field and the repetition number field. The method may further include determining a modulation and coding scheme value and a repetition number based on an indication in the modulation and coding scheme field. Further, the method may include setting a transmission block size index value based on the determination.

[0004] Another example embodiment may be directed to an apparatus. The apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory containing computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code, together with the at least one processor, may be configured to cause the apparatus to at least receive downlink control information from a network node, the downlink control information including a modulation and coding scheme field and a repetition number field. The apparatus may also be configured to read the modulation and coding scheme field and the repetition number field. The apparatus may be further configured to determine a modulation and coding scheme value and a repetition number based on an indication in the modulation and coding scheme field. Furthermore, the apparatus may be configured to set a transmission block size index value based on the determination.

[0005] Another example embodiment may be directed to an apparatus. The apparatus may comprise means for receiving downlink control information from a network node, the downlink control information including a modulation and coding scheme field and a repetition number field. The apparatus may also comprise means for reading the modulation and coding scheme field and the repetition number field. The apparatus may further comprise means for determining a modulation and coding scheme value and a repetition number based on an indication in the modulation and coding scheme field. Furthermore, the apparatus may comprise means for setting a transmission block size index value based on the determination.

[0006] According to another example embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable medium may be encoded with instructions that, when executed on hardware, can perform a method. The method may include receiving, at a user equipment, downlink control information from a network node, the downlink control information including a modulation and coding scheme field and a repetition number field. The method may also include reading the modulation and coding scheme field and the repetition number field. The method may further include determining a modulation and coding scheme value and a repetition number based on an indication in the modulation and coding scheme field. Furthermore, the method may include setting a transmission block size index value based on the determination.

[0007] Another example embodiment may be directed to a computer program product executing a method. The method may include receiving, at a user equipment, downlink control information from a network node, the downlink control information including a modulation and coding scheme field and a repetition number field. The method may also include reading the modulation and coding scheme field and the repetition number field. The method may further include determining a modulation and coding scheme value and a repetition number based on an indication in the modulation and coding scheme field. Furthermore, the method may include setting a transmission block size index value based on the determination.

[0008] Another example embodiment may be directed to an apparatus that may include circuitry configured to receive downlink control information from a network node, the downlink control information including a modulation and coding scheme field and a repetition number field. The apparatus may also include circuitry configured to read the modulation and coding scheme field and the repetition number field. The apparatus may further include circuitry configured to determine a modulation and coding scheme value and a repetition number based on an indication in the modulation and coding scheme field. Furthermore, the apparatus may include circuitry configured to set a transmission block size index value based on the determination.

[0009] Certain exemplary embodiments may be directed to a method. The method may include transmitting downlink control information to a user equipment, the downlink control information including a modulation and coding scheme field and a repetition field. According to certain exemplary embodiments, the modulation and coding scheme field may include a specific value. According to other exemplary embodiments, the repetition field may include a modulation and coding scheme value. According to further exemplary embodiments, the specific value may be an orthogonal modulation scheme function. (capability) The user equipment may be configured with, or enabled to be configured with,

[0010] Another exemplary embodiment may be directed to an apparatus. The apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code, together with the at least one processor, may be configured to cause the apparatus to at least transmit downlink control information to a user equipment, the downlink control information including a modulation and coding scheme field and a repetition field. According to certain exemplary embodiments, the modulation and coding scheme field may include a specific value. According to other exemplary embodiments, the repetition field may include a modulation and coding scheme value. According to further exemplary embodiments, the specific value may configure or enable the user equipment with orthogonal modulation scheme capability.

[0011] Another exemplary embodiment may be directed to an apparatus. The apparatus may comprise means for transmitting downlink control information to a user equipment, the downlink control information including a modulation and coding scheme field and a repetition field. According to certain exemplary embodiments, the modulation and coding scheme field may include a specific value. According to other exemplary embodiments, the repetition field may include a modulation and coding scheme value. According to further exemplary embodiments, the specific value may configure or enable the user equipment to be configured with orthogonal modulation scheme capabilities.

[0012] According to other exemplary embodiments, a non-transitory computer-readable medium may be encoded with instructions that, when executed on hardware, can perform a method. The method may include transmitting downlink control information to a user equipment, the downlink control information including a modulation and coding scheme field and a repetition field. According to certain exemplary embodiments, the modulation and coding scheme field may include a specific value. According to other exemplary embodiments, the repetition field may include a modulation and coding scheme value. According to further exemplary embodiments, the specific value may configure or enable the user equipment to be configured with orthogonal modulation scheme capabilities.

[0013] Another exemplary embodiment may be directed to a computer program product executing a method. The method may include transmitting downlink control information to a user equipment, the downlink control information including a modulation and coding scheme field and a repetition field. According to certain exemplary embodiments, the modulation and coding scheme field may include a specific value. According to other exemplary embodiments, the repetition field may include a modulation and coding scheme value. According to further exemplary embodiments, the specific value may configure or enable the user equipment to be configured with orthogonal modulation scheme capabilities.

[0014] Other exemplary embodiments may be directed to an apparatus that may include circuitry configured to transmit downlink control information to a user equipment, the downlink control information including a modulation and coding scheme field and a repetition field. According to certain exemplary embodiments, the modulation and coding scheme field may include a specific value. According to other exemplary embodiments, the repetition field may include a modulation and coding scheme value. According to further exemplary embodiments, the specific value may configure or enable the user equipment to be configured with orthogonal modulation scheme capabilities.

[0015] For a proper understanding of the exemplary embodiments, please refer to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 shows an example of a downlink (DL) transport block size (TBS) table for a user equipment configured with 16-QAM. [Figure 2] 1 shows an example of an uplink (UL) TBS table for a UE configured with 16-QAM. [Figure 3] 1 illustrates an exemplary modulation and coding scheme (MCS) table extension for downlink control information (DCI) format N0, in accordance with certain exemplary embodiments. [Figure 4] 1 illustrates an exemplary MCS table extension for DCI format N1, in accordance with a particular exemplary embodiment. [Figure 5] 1 illustrates an example procedure for determining an MCS value and a repetition number based on an indication in an MCS field, according to a particular example embodiment. [Figure 6] 1 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram of a method, in accordance with certain exemplary embodiments. [Figure 7] 10 depicts an exemplary flow diagram of another method, in accordance with certain exemplary embodiments. [Figure 8a] 1 illustrates an apparatus, in accordance with certain exemplary embodiments; [Figure 8b] 1 illustrates another apparatus in accordance with certain illustrative embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Of course, the components of the specific exemplary embodiments as generally described and illustrated in the Figures herein may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Following are detailed descriptions of several exemplary embodiments of systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for modulation coding scheme (MCS) table extension for narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IOT) configured with 16-quadrature amplitude modulation (16-QAM).

[0018] The features, structures, or characteristics of the exemplary embodiments described throughout this specification may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more exemplary embodiments. For example, the use of the phrases "particular embodiment," "exemplary embodiment," "some embodiments," or other similar language throughout this specification refers to the fact that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases "particular embodiment," "exemplary embodiment," "some embodiments," "other embodiments," or other similar language throughout this specification do not necessarily refer to the same group of embodiments, and the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more exemplary embodiments.

[0019] The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) aims to support IoT extensions and specify 16-QAM support for NB-IoT. For example, 16-QAM is specified for uplink (UL) and downlink (DL) unicast, including necessary changes to DL power allocation for the narrowband physical downlink shared channel (NPDSCH) and DL transport block size (TBS). This is specified without a new NB-IoT user equipment (UE) category. For DL, at least the existing category NB2 can be modified to specify a maximum TBS increase of, for example, twice the Rel-16 maximum, and soft buffer size. For UL, the maximum TBS cannot be increased. 3GPP also describes an extension to NB-IoT channel quality reporting based on the Rel-14-16 framework to support 16-QAM in DL.

[0020] Figure 1 shows an example of a DL TBS table for a UE configured with 16-QAM, and Figure 2 shows an example of a UL TBS table for a UE configured with 16-QAM. RAN1 introduced new MCS values ​​for 16-QAM as shown in the tables in Figures 1 and 2. Additionally, RAN1 agreed that repetition is not supported when a UE is scheduled using 16-QAM modulation (i.e., when the UE is scheduled with an MCS between 14 and 21).

[0021] 16-QAM may be used for UEs with good channel conditions, but when a UE is configured for 16-QAM, the downlink control information (DCI) may support scheduling all existing quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) MCS and reception values. This eliminates the need to perform costly radio resource control (RRC) reconfigurations in response to changes in radio conditions at the UE. As a result, the eNB may be able to configure UEs that support 16-QAM functionality with 16-QAM even when the current radio conditions do not support its use. One way to achieve this is to increase the size of the "Modulation and Coding Scheme" field of DCI N0 / N1 by one bit (e.g., from 4 to 5 bits) to accommodate the additional 16-QAM entry in the MCS table. However, this may be undesirable because it increases the DCI size and degrades the performance of the narrowband physical downlink control channel (NPDCCH) used to transmit the DCI. Furthermore, the UE may monitor two different DCI sizes: the old DCI size in a common search space and the new DCI size in a UE-specific search space.

[0022] Alternatively, the DCI fields "Modulation and coding scheme" and "Repetition number" can be jointly coded to support new 16-QAM entries. In this case, the DCI size may not increase. However, DCI interpretation (i.e., encoding and decoding) may become more complex due to the need to combine the two fields and define all supported combinations (e.g., using a new table). Therefore, a simple MCS extension method that does not increase the DCI size when the UE is configured with 16-QAM is needed.

[0023] Alternatively, the DCI fields "DCI Subframe Repetition Number" and "Repetition Number" may be used to indicate a new or extended MCS table. If the field "DCI Subframe Repetition Number" indicates that no repetitions are used for the NPDCCH, one or more bits in the "Repetition Number" field can be used to indicate an MCS table. For example, the most significant bit of the "Repetition Number" and four bits of the existing "Modulation and Coding Scheme" field can be used to indicate a five-bit MCS table. However, this method does not allow the use of NPDCCH repetitions if the UE is scheduled with 16-QAM modulation.

[0024] Certain exemplary embodiments may provide a method for interpreting the "Modulation and Coding Scheme" field and the "Number of Repetitions" field in the DCI based on an indication in the "Modulation and Coding Scheme" field when the NB-IoT UE is configured with 16-QAM. Certain exemplary embodiments may take advantage of the case where the number of repetitions is 1 (i.e., no repetitions) when the UE is scheduled with 16-QAM. Therefore, in certain exemplary embodiments, an indication of the number of repetitions in the DCI may not be necessary.

[0025] According to certain exemplary embodiments, the MCS table may be extended by using the "repetition number" field of the DCI. According to other exemplary embodiments, an unused state in the MCS table may instruct the UE to use an extended MCS table. For example, for a UE configured with 16-QAM, if the "modulation and coding scheme" field indicates a value between 0 and 13, the UE may use the MCS value (I_MCS) indicated by the "modulation and coding scheme" field of the DCI and the repetition number value (I_Rep) indicated by the "repetition number" field of the DCI. Otherwise, the UE may be scheduled with 16-QAM, the repetition number may be set to 1 (i.e., no repetition), and the UE may use a predetermined MCS table extension to determine the 16-QAM MCS value indicated by the "repetition number" field of the DCI. In certain exemplary embodiments, a specific MCS value greater than 13 (e.g., binary "1110" or 14) may be defined for this purpose. In other words, an unused MCS state may indicate an extension of the MCS table. According to certain exemplary embodiments, the method may be applied to UEs configured with not only 16-QAM but also generally orthogonal modulation schemes (e.g., 64-QAM, 256-QAM, etc.), or UEs configured with another modulation scheme (e.g., phase shift keying).

[0026] 3 shows an example of an MCS table extension for DCI format N0 according to a particular exemplary embodiment. In particular, FIG. 3 shows a table of MCS indications when MCS is set to "1110". According to a particular exemplary embodiment, for DCI N0, the size of the "number of repetitions" field may be 3 bits.

[0027] 4 illustrates an exemplary MCS table extension for DCI format N1 according to a particular exemplary embodiment. In particular, FIG. 4 illustrates a table of MCS indications when MCS is set to "1110." According to a particular exemplary embodiment, for DCI N1, the "Number of Repetitions" field size may be 4 bits. Alternatively, according to another exemplary embodiment, for DCI N1, only the last three least significant bits (LSBs) may be used to indicate I_MCS, and the most significant bit (MSB) may be reserved or used for another purpose.

[0028] In certain exemplary embodiments, the UE may be configured for 16-QAM via RRC configuration or Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE) signaling. Alternatively, the UE may be implicitly configured for 16-QAM if the network indicates 16-QAM support via system information block(s) (SIB). In some exemplary embodiments, the network may configure the UE for 16-QAM when the UE is in RRC CONNECTED state and the UE's capabilities are enabled. (capability) The legacy MCS and repetition values ​​can be used for the UE until the network knows the MCS and repetition values. In another exemplary embodiment, the UE may not assume an implicit configuration of 16-QAM for DL ​​until it provides extended channel quality information for 16-QAM.

[0029] According to certain exemplary embodiments, instead of using an MCS extension, the UE may be configured with two tables: one for QPSK and one for 16-QAM. For example, in certain exemplary embodiments, the MCS table to use may be indicated via the unused or predetermined state of one of the DCI fields. Alternatively, in other exemplary embodiments, the MCS table to use may be implicitly determined based on an indication via the "Modulation and Coding Scheme field."

[0030] In a particular exemplary embodiment, in DCI format N1 (DL Scheduling Grant), the repetition count field may include 4 bits, while only 3 bits may be required for the I-MCS indication. An additional bit (e.g., the MSB) may be used to request a channel quality report (e.g., a repetition count field of "1000" means I_MCS=14, and the UE is requested to transmit a channel quality report). In this manner, there is no change in how the UE interprets the DCI when the "Modulation and Coding Scheme" field indicates a value between 0 and 13. Therefore, this may be fully backward compatible with pre-Rel-17 UE implementations.

[0031] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary procedure for determining an MCS value and repetition count based on an indication in the MCS field, according to certain exemplary embodiments. As shown in FIG. 5 and described herein, the UE can read the "Modulation and Coding Scheme" field and the "Repetition Count" field and interpret them as described above to obtain the MCS value I_MCS. The UE can then set the TBX index I_TBS=I_MCS and determine the TBS using a table with 16-QAM values. As shown in FIG. 5, at 500, the UE can check whether the UE is 16-QAM capable. At 505, it may be determined whether the UE is configured with 16-QAM. If yes, at 510, the UE can determine whether the "Modulation and Coding Scheme" field includes a "1110" indication. If so, the MCS value can be specified as greater than 13, and the "1110" indication may serve as an identification of an unused MCS state indicating an extension to the MCS table. At 515, the UE may determine the I_MCS value from the “Number of Repetitions” field in the DCI, and the number of repetitions may be set to 1. At 520, the UE sets the I_TBS value equal to the I_MCS value and determines the TBS using a table of 16-QAM values.

[0032] If it is determined at 510 that the MCS field does not indicate "1110," the UE may determine the I_MCS value from the "Modulation and Coding Scheme" field in the DCI and the number of repetitions from the "Number of Repetitions" field of the DCI at 525. Additionally, if it is determined that the UE is not configured with 16-QAM, the UE may determine the I_MCS value from the "Modulation and Coding Scheme" field in the DCI and the number of repetitions from the "Number of Repetitions" field of the DCI at 530.

[0033] 6 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram of a method according to a particular exemplary embodiment. In an exemplary embodiment, the method of FIG. 6 may be performed by a network entity, a network node, or a group of network elements in a 3GPP system, such as LTE or 5G-NR. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the method of FIG. 6 may be performed by a UE, such as the device 10 illustrated in FIG. 8(a).

[0034] According to certain example embodiments, the method of Figure 6 may include, at 600, receiving at a user equipment downlink control information from a network node, the downlink control information including a modulation and coding scheme field and a repetition number field. The method may include, at 605, reading the modulation and coding scheme field and the repetition number field. The method may include, at 610, determining a modulation and coding scheme value and a repetition number based on an indication in the modulation and coding scheme field. The method may include, at 615, setting a transmission block size index value based on the determination.

[0035] According to certain exemplary embodiments, the user equipment may be configured with orthogonal modulation scheme capabilities. According to other exemplary embodiments, the transmission block size index value may be equal to the modulation and coding scheme value. According to further exemplary embodiments, the transmission block size index value may be determined using a table having orthogonal modulation scheme values.

[0036] In certain exemplary embodiments, when the modulation and coding scheme value is greater than a predetermined value, the modulation and coding scheme value may be determined from the repetition number field in the downlink control information, and the repetition number may be set to a value of 1. In some exemplary embodiments, when the modulation and coding scheme value is less than a predetermined value, the modulation and coding scheme value may be determined from the modulation and coding scheme field in the downlink control information, and the repetition number may be determined from the repetition number field in the downlink control information. In further exemplary embodiments, when the modulation and coding scheme value is a fixed value, the modulation and coding scheme value may be determined from the repetition number field in the downlink control information, and the repetition number may be set to a value of 1. In other exemplary embodiments, the user equipment may be configured with two tables: one table for quadrature phase shift keying and another table for an orthogonal modulation scheme. According to certain exemplary embodiments, the user equipment may be implicitly configured with orthogonal modulation scheme capability.

[0037] 7 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram of another method according to certain exemplary embodiments. In an exemplary embodiment, the method of FIG. 7 may be performed by a network entity, a network node, or a group of network elements in a 3GPP system, such as LTE or 5G-NR. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the method of FIG. 7 may be performed by a gNB, such as apparatus 20 shown in FIG. 8(a).

[0038] According to certain exemplary embodiments, the method of FIG. 7 may include, at 700, transmitting downlink control information to a user equipment, the downlink control information including a modulation and coding scheme field and a repetition field. According to certain exemplary embodiments, the modulation and coding scheme field may include a specific value. According to other exemplary embodiments, the repetition field may include a modulation and coding scheme value. According to further exemplary embodiments, the specific value may configure or enable the user equipment to be configured with orthogonal modulation scheme capabilities.

[0039] In certain exemplary embodiments, the specific value may be greater than a predetermined value. In some exemplary embodiments, the specific value may be equal to a predetermined value. In other exemplary embodiments, the specific value may be fixed at a predetermined value. According to certain exemplary embodiments, the quadrature modulation scheme function may be a quadrature modulation scheme function. In other exemplary embodiments, the method may include configuring the user equipment with two tables: one table for quadrature phase shift keying and another table for the quadrature modulation scheme.

[0040] 8(a) illustrates an apparatus 10 according to a particular exemplary embodiment. In a particular exemplary embodiment, the apparatus 10 may be a node or element in or associated with a communication network, such as a UE, mobile equipment (ME), mobile station, mobile device, fixed device, or other device. Note that one skilled in the art will understand that the apparatus 10 may include components or features not shown in FIG. 8(a).

[0041] In some demonstrative embodiments, device 10 may comprise one or more processors, one or more computer-readable storage media (e.g., memory, storage, etc.), one or more wireless access components (e.g., modem, transceiver, etc.), and / or a user interface. In some demonstrative embodiments, device 10 may be configured to operate using one or more wireless access technologies, such as GSM, LTE, LTE-A, NR, 5G, WLAN, WiFi, NB-IoT, Bluetooth, NFC, MultiFire, and / or any other wireless access technology. Note that one skilled in the art will understand that device 10 may include components or features not shown in FIG. 8( a).

[0042] As shown in the example of FIG. 8( a), device 10 may include or be coupled to processor 12 for processing information and executing instructions or operations. Processor 12 may be any type of general-purpose or special-purpose processor. In practice, processor 12 may include one or more of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture, to name a few. While a single processor 12 is shown in FIG. 8( a), according to other exemplary embodiments, multiple processors may be utilized. For example, it should be appreciated that in certain exemplary embodiments, device 10 may include two or more processors that may form a multiprocessor system that may support multiprocessing (e.g., in this case, processor 12 may represent a multiprocessor). According to certain exemplary embodiments, the multiprocessor system may be tightly coupled (e.g., to form a computer cluster) or loosely coupled.

[0043] Processor 12 may perform functions related to the operation of device 10, including, as a few examples, precoding antenna gain / phase parameters, encoding and decoding individual bits forming communication messages, formatting information, and overall control of device 10, including the processes shown in Figures 1-6.

[0044] Device 10 may further include or be coupled to processor 12 with memory 14 (internal or external) for storing information and instructions that may be executed by processor 12. Memory 14 may be one or more memories of any type suitable for the local application environment and may be implemented using any suitable volatile or non-volatile data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, and / or removable memory. For example, memory 14 may be comprised of any combination of random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), static storage such as a magnetic or optical disk, a hard disk drive (HDD), or any other type of non-transitory machine- or computer-readable medium. The instructions stored in memory 14 may include program instructions or computer program code that, when executed by processor 12, enable device 10 to perform the tasks described herein.

[0045] In certain exemplary embodiments, device 10 may further include or be coupled to a drive or port (internal or external) configured to accept and read an external computer-readable storage medium, such as an optical disk, a USB drive, a flash drive, or any other storage medium. For example, the external computer-readable storage medium may store a computer program or software for execution by processor 12 and / or device 10 to perform any of the methods illustrated in Figures 1-6.

[0046] In some demonstrative embodiments, device 10 may also include, or be coupled to, one or more antennas 15 for receiving downlink signals and transmitting from device 10 via an uplink. Device 10 may further include a transceiver 18 configured to transmit and receive information. Transceiver 18 may also include a radio interface (e.g., a modem) coupled to antenna 15. The radio interface may support multiple radio access technologies including one or more of GSM, LTE, LTE-A, 5G, NR, WLAN, NB-IoT, Bluetooth, BT-LE, NFC, RFID, UWB, etc. The radio interface may include other components, such as filters, converters (e.g., digital-to-analog converters, etc.), symbol demappers, signal shaping components, inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) modules, etc., to process symbols, such as OFDMA symbols, carried by the downlink or uplink.

[0047] For example, transceiver 18 may be configured to modulate information onto a carrier waveform for transmission by antenna(s) 15 and demodulate information received via antenna(s) 15 for further processing by other elements of device 10. In other exemplary embodiments, transceiver 18 may transmit and receive signals or data directly. Additionally or alternatively, in some exemplary embodiments, device 10 may include input and / or output devices (I / O devices). In certain exemplary embodiments, device 10 may further include a user interface, such as a graphical user interface or a touch screen.

[0048] In certain exemplary embodiments, memory 14 stores software modules that, when executed by processor 12, provide functionality. The modules may comprise, for example, an operating system that provides operating system functionality for device 10. The memory may also store one or more functional modules, such as applications or programs, to provide additional functionality to device 10. Components of device 10 may be implemented in hardware or as any suitable combination of hardware and software. According to certain exemplary embodiments, device 10 may be configured to communicate with device 20 via a wireless or wired communication link 70, optionally according to any radio access technology, such as NR.

[0049] According to certain exemplary embodiments, the processor 12 and memory 14 may be included in or form part of processing or control circuitry. Further, in some exemplary embodiments, the transceiver 18 may be included in or form part of transceiver circuitry.

[0050] For example, in certain exemplary embodiments, the apparatus 10 may be controlled by the memory 14 and the processor 12 to receive downlink control information from a network node, the downlink control information including a modulation and coding scheme field and a repetition number field. The apparatus 10 may also be controlled by the memory 14 and the processor 12 to read the modulation and coding scheme field and the repetition number field. The apparatus 10 may further be controlled by the memory 14 and the processor 12 to determine a modulation and coding scheme value and a repetition number based on an indication of the modulation and coding scheme field. Furthermore, the apparatus 10 may be controlled by the memory 14 and the processor 12 to set a transmission block size index value based on the determination.

[0051] 8(b) illustrates apparatus 20 according to certain exemplary embodiments. In certain exemplary embodiments, apparatus 20 may be a node or element in a communications network, such as a base station, NodeB, evolved NodeB (eNB), 5G NodeB or access point, next generation NodeB (NG-NB or gNB), and / or WLAN access point associated with a Radio Access Network (RAN), such as an LTE network, 5G, or NR, or may be a node or element associated with such a network. Note that one skilled in the art will understand that apparatus 20 may include components or features not shown in FIG. 8(b).

[0052] As shown in the example of FIG. 8(b), device 20 may include a processor 22 for processing information and executing instructions or operations. Processor 22 may be any type of general-purpose or special-purpose processor. For example, processor 22 may include one or more of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture, to name a few. While a single processor 22 is shown in FIG. 8(b), according to other exemplary embodiments, multiple processors may be utilized. For example, it should be appreciated that in certain exemplary embodiments, device 20 may include two or more processors that may form a multiprocessor system that may support multiprocessing (e.g., in this case, processor 22 may represent a multiprocessor). In certain exemplary embodiments, the multiprocessor system may be tightly coupled (e.g., to form a computer cluster) or loosely coupled.

[0053] According to certain exemplary embodiments, processor 22 may perform functions related to the operation of device 20, which may include, for example, precoding antenna gain / phase parameters, encoding and decoding individual bits forming communication messages, formatting information, and overall control of device 20, including the processes illustrated in Figures 1-5 and 7.

[0054] The device 20 may further comprise or be coupled to the processor 22 with a memory 24 (internal or external) for storing information and instructions that may be executed by the processor 22. The memory 24 may be one or more memories of any type suitable for the local application environment and may be implemented using any suitable volatile or non-volatile data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, and / or removable memory. For example, the memory 24 may be comprised of any combination of random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), static storage such as a magnetic or optical disk, a hard disk drive (HDD), or any other type of non-transitory machine- or computer-readable medium. The instructions stored in the memory 24 may include program instructions or computer program code that, when executed by the processor 22, enable the device 20 to perform the tasks described herein.

[0055] In certain exemplary embodiments, device 20 may further include or be coupled to a drive or port (internal or external) configured to accept and read an external computer-readable storage medium, such as an optical disk, a USB drive, a flash drive, or any other storage medium. For example, the external computer-readable storage medium may store computer programs or software for execution by processor 22 and / or device 20 to perform the methods illustrated in Figures 1-5 and 7.

[0056] In certain exemplary embodiments, device 20 may also include, or be coupled to, one or more antennas 25 for transmitting and receiving signals and / or data to and from device 20. Device 20 may further include, or be coupled to, a transceiver 28 configured to transmit and receive information. Transceiver 28 may include, for example, multiple radio interfaces that may be coupled to antenna(s) 25. The radio interfaces may support multiple radio access technologies including one or more of GSM, NB-IoT, LTE, 5G, WLAN, Bluetooth, BT-LE, NFC, radio frequency identification (RFID), ultra-wideband (UWB), MulteFire, etc. The radio interfaces may include components such as filters, converters (e.g., digital-to-analog converters, etc.), mappers, fast Fourier transform (FFT) modules, etc. to generate symbols for transmission over one or more downlinks and receive symbols (e.g., over an uplink).

[0057] Thus, transceiver 28 may be configured to modulate information onto a carrier waveform for transmission by antenna(s) 25, and to demodulate information received via antenna(s) 25 for further processing by other elements of device 20. In other exemplary embodiments, transceiver 18 may transmit and receive signals or data directly. Additionally or alternatively, in some exemplary embodiments, device 20 may comprise input and / or output devices (I / O devices).

[0058] In certain exemplary embodiments, memory 24 may store software modules that, when executed by processor 22, provide functionality. The modules may comprise, for example, an operating system that provides operating system functionality for device 20. Memory may also store one or more functional modules, such as applications or programs, to provide additional functionality to device 20. Components of device 20 may be implemented in hardware or as any suitable combination of hardware and software.

[0059] According to some exemplary embodiments, the processor 22 and memory 24 may be included in or form part of processing or control circuitry. Further, in some exemplary embodiments, the transceiver 28 may be included in or form part of transceiver circuitry.

[0060] As used herein, the term “circuitry” may refer to a hardware-only circuit implementation (e.g., analog and / or digital circuitry), a combination of hardware circuitry and software, a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuitry and software / firmware, any portion of a hardware processor(s) having software (including digital signal processors) that cooperate to cause a device (e.g., devices 10 and 20) to perform various functions, and / or hardware circuit(s) and / or processor(s), or portions thereof, that use software in their operation but may not be present if not necessary for operation. As a further example, as used herein, the term “circuitry” may encompass an implementation solely of a hardware circuit or processor(s), or an implementation of a portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its associated software and / or firmware. The term circuitry may also encompass, for example, baseband integrated circuits in a server, cellular network node or device, or other computing or network device.

[0061] In another exemplary embodiment, apparatus 20 may be controlled by memory 24 and processor 22 to transmit downlink control information to user equipment, including a modulation and coding scheme field and a repetition field. According to certain exemplary embodiments, the modulation and coding scheme field may include a specific value. According to other exemplary embodiments, the repetition field may include a modulation and coding scheme value. According to further exemplary embodiments, the specific value may configure or enable user equipment with orthogonal modulation scheme capabilities.

[0062] In some demonstrative embodiments, an apparatus (e.g., apparatus 10 and / or apparatus 20) may comprise means for performing any of the methods, processes, or variations described herein. Examples of means may include one or more processors, memories, controllers, transmitters, receivers, and / or computer program code that cause the execution of operations.

[0063] Certain example embodiments may be directed to an apparatus including means for performing any of the methods described herein, including, for example, means for receiving downlink control information from a network node, the downlink control information including a modulation and coding scheme field and a repetition number field. The apparatus may also include means for reading the modulation and coding scheme field and the repetition number field. The apparatus may further include means for determining a modulation and coding scheme value and a repetition number based on an indication in the modulation and coding scheme field. Additionally, the apparatus may include means for setting a transmission block size index value based on the determination.

[0064] Another example embodiment may be directed to an apparatus comprising means for transmitting downlink control information to a user equipment, the downlink control information including a modulation and coding scheme field and a repetition field. According to a particular example embodiment, the modulation and coding scheme field may include a particular value. According to another example embodiment, the repetition field may include a modulation and coding scheme value. According to a further example embodiment, the particular value may configure or enable the user equipment to be configured with orthogonal modulation scheme capabilities.

[0065] Certain exemplary embodiments described herein provide several technical improvements, enhancements, and / or advantages. Some exemplary embodiments may enable support for legacy MCS values ​​and repetitions for QPSK and new MCS values ​​(without repetition) for 16-QAM without increasing DCI size. Other exemplary embodiments may enable simple extension of the MCS table without requiring joint coding for multiple fields. In particular, joint coding may involve more complex encoding and decoding methods, thereby increasing complexity in both the network and the UE.

[0066] Other example embodiments may allow for the extension of the MCS table without requiring other restrictions on the DCI scheduling format. For example, certain conventional solutions may require the "DCI Subframe Repetitions" field to be set to 1 (i.e., no repetitions), which is unnecessarily restrictive.

[0067] In some exemplary embodiments, the functions of any of the methods, processes, signaling diagrams, algorithms or flowcharts described herein may be implemented by software and / or computer program code or portions of code stored in a memory or other computer-readable or tangible medium and executed by a processor.

[0068] In some exemplary embodiments, a device may comprise or be associated with at least one software application, module, unit, or entity configured as arithmetic operation(s) or as a program or part of a program (including additional or updated software routines), which may be executed by at least one computing processor or controller. Programs, also referred to as program products or computer programs, including software routines, applets, and macros, may be stored on any device-readable data storage medium and may include program instructions for performing specific tasks. A computer program product may include one or more computer-executable components, which, when executed, are configured to perform some exemplary embodiments. The one or more computer-executable components may be at least one software code or part thereof. Modifications and configurations necessary to implement the functionality of the exemplary embodiments may be performed as routine(s), which may be implemented as additional or updated software routine(s). In one example, the software routine(s) may be downloaded to the device.

[0069] By way of example, the software or computer program code, or portions thereof, may be in source code form, object code form, or some intermediate form, and may be stored on some kind of carrier, distribution medium, or computer-readable medium, which may be any entity or device capable of carrying a program. Such carriers may include, for example, recording media, computer memory, read-only memory, optical and / or electrical carrier signals, telecommunications signals, and software distribution packages. Depending on the processing power required, the computer program may be executed on a single electronic digital computer or distributed among several computers. The computer-readable medium or computer-readable storage medium may be a non-transitory medium.

[0070] In other exemplary embodiments, the functions may be performed by hardware or circuitry included in a device (e.g., device 10 or device 20), for example, through the use of an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable gate array (PGA), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or any other combination of hardware and software. In yet another exemplary embodiment, the functions may be implemented as a signal, i.e., as an intangible means that may be carried by an electromagnetic signal downloaded from the Internet or other network.

[0071] According to certain exemplary embodiments, an apparatus such as a node, device, or corresponding component may be configured as a circuit, computer, or microprocessor, such as a single-chip computer element, or as a chipset that includes at least a memory that provides storage capacity for use in arithmetic operations and an arithmetic processor that performs the arithmetic operations.

[0072] Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the invention described above can be practiced using a different sequence of steps and / or with hardware elements in different configurations than those disclosed. Thus, while the invention has been described based on these exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain modifications, variations, and alternative constructions will be apparent, while remaining within the spirit and scope of the exemplary embodiments. While the above embodiments refer to 5G NR and LTE technologies, the above embodiments may also be applied to any other current or future 3GPP technologies, such as LTE-Advanced and / or fourth-generation (4G) technologies.

[0073] Partial glossary 3GPP 3rd Generation Partnership Project 5G (5th Generation) 5GCN 5G Core Network BS base station Enhanced CE coverage DCI Downlink Control Information DL Downlink eNB Extended NodeB gNB 5G or Next Generation NodeB LSB least significant bit LTE Long Term Evolution MSB Most Significant Bit MTC Machine Type Communication NB-IoT Narrowband Internet of Things NPDCCH Narrowband PDCCH NPDSCH Narrowband PDSCH NR new radio PDCCH Physical Downlink Control Channel PDSCH Physical Downlink Shared Channel PRB Physical Resource Block RRC Radio Resource Control UE User Equipment UL Uplink

Claims

1. 1. A method comprising: receiving, at a user equipment, downlink control information including a modulation and coding scheme field and a repetition number field, the user equipment being configured with 16-quadrature amplitude modulation; determining a modulation and coding scheme value and a repetition number based on an indication in the modulation and coding scheme field; determining a transmission block size index value based on said determination; Including, the modulation and coding scheme field indicates a particular modulation and coding scheme value greater than binary 1101, indicating that the user equipment is scheduled with 16-quadrature amplitude modulation; if the user equipment is scheduled with 16-quadrature amplitude modulation, the number of repetitions is set to a value of 1; determining the modulation and coding scheme value includes determining the modulation and coding scheme value as indicated by the number of repetitions field using a predetermined modulation and coding scheme table extension. The method.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transmission block size index value is equal to the modulation and coding scheme value.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transmission block size index value is determined using a table with orthogonal modulation scheme values.

4. When the value of the modulation and coding scheme field indicates a specific value smaller than binary 1101, the modulation and coding scheme value is determined from the modulation and coding scheme field in the downlink control information, and the repetition number is determined from the repetition number field in the downlink control information. The method of claim 1.

5. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the user equipment is configured with a modulation and coding scheme table for quadrature phase shift keying and another modulation and coding scheme table for an orthogonal modulation scheme.

6. at least one processor; at least one memory containing computer program code; An apparatus comprising: The at least one memory and the computer program code, together with the at least one processor, provide the device with at least: receiving downlink control information including a modulation and coding scheme field and a repetition number field, the device being configured with 16-quadrature amplitude modulation; determining a modulation and coding scheme value and a repetition number based on an indication in the modulation and coding scheme field; determining a transmission block size index value based on said determination; configured to cause the modulation and coding scheme field indicates a particular modulation and coding scheme value greater than binary 1101, indicating that the device is scheduled with 16-quadrature amplitude modulation; If the device is scheduled with 16-quadrature amplitude modulation, the number of repetitions is set to a value of 1; the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to cause the device, using the at least one processor, to determine at least the modulation and coding scheme value, are further configured to cause the device to determine the modulation and coding scheme value as indicated by the repetition number field using a predetermined modulation and coding scheme table extension. The device.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the transmission block size index value is equal to the modulation and coding scheme value.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the transmission block size index value is determined using a table with orthogonal modulation scheme values.

9. When the value of the modulation and coding scheme field indicates a specific value smaller than binary 1101, the modulation and coding scheme value is determined from the modulation and coding scheme field in the downlink control information, and the repetition number is determined from the repetition number field in the downlink control information.

7. The apparatus of claim 6.

10. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the apparatus is configured with a modulation coding scheme table for quadrature phase shift keying and a separate modulation coding scheme table for orthogonal modulation schemes.

11. 1. A method comprising: transmitting downlink control information to a user equipment, the downlink control information including a modulation and coding scheme field and a repetition field; an indication in the modulation and coding scheme field indicates to the user equipment that quadrature amplitude modulation is configured; the quadrature amplitude modulation is 16-quadrature amplitude modulation; the modulation and coding scheme field indicates a particular modulation and coding scheme value greater than binary 1101, indicating that the user equipment is configured with 16-quadrature amplitude modulation; if the user equipment is configured with 16-quadrature amplitude modulation, the number of repetitions is set to a value of 1; the repetition number field in the downlink control information includes a modulation and coding scheme value for indicating to the user equipment a modulation and coding scheme value determined using a predetermined modulation and coding scheme table extension, and the determined modulation and coding scheme value enables the user equipment to determine a transmission block size index value. The method.

12. Configuring the user equipment with a modulation and coding scheme table for quadrature phase shift keying and another modulation and coding scheme table for an orthogonal modulation scheme. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

13. determining a number of repetitions based on an indication in the modulation and coding scheme field; The method of claim 1 further comprising:

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